Fire-escape



11. L. CLARK.

PIRE ESCAPE.

No. 292,411. Patented Jan. 2z, 1884.

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AMiren STATES ALERE-D L. CLARK, OF`DUBUQUE, IOVA.

FIRE-E SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters SCAPE.

Patent No. 292,411, dated January 22, 1884.

Application filed June 12, 1883. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, ALFRED L. CLARK, of Dubuque, in the county of Dubuque and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Irnproveinent in Fire-Escapes; and I do hereby declare that the following1 is a full, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference inarked'thereon.

My invention relates to an improvement in friction-blocks, and has special reference to that class known as friction-escapes.77

The object in view is to render such an escape durable and effective by giving the rope an even tension along its bearing-surface, in order that frictional wear will not occur more rapidly at one point than at another; and to this end the invention consists in the novel construction of the device, all as more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

For the better understanding of the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a front elevation of the device ,completa and Fig. 2 a side view of the same.

Like letters refer to like parts in both views In the drawings, A represents a metal block, consisting of plates a aand intervening studs B B and C, all cast in one piece. The central stud, C, is preferably cylindrical'in form, and the studs B B semi-cylindrical, the periphery of each of said studs being preferably grooved vto assure a more certain guide for the rope D, hereinafter referred to. The periphery of these studs may, however, if desired, present a fiat surface. At each end of the block A there is formed an eye, Z1, the object of which will be mentioned. At or about the center of this block, and passing through the stud C, is a hole, c, which is preferably cylindrical in4 forni, and through which is passed a belt, E, upon which the operator of the device is supported. This belt E is formed of any suitable material, and has its lends suitably joined together, so as to form an endless belt. It is provided with a movable loop, cl, by means of which it is adjusted to the body of different operators. The rope 5o D, before referred to, is passed through one of the eyes b, formed one on each end of the block A, then passed over the grooved periphery of one of the studs B, and around the cylindrical stud C, thence over the remaining stud, B, and through the second eye b. This rope is provided at each end with a loop, X, or other suitable means, for securing it to the building uponwhich the escape is to be used. v

The operationof the device is as follows: The rope D is secured to the building or to any article of furniture in the room from which the person desires to escape, and is of sufficient length to reach the ground. The person in danger then passes the endless belt E around his body, adjusting the movable loop d as required, the weight of his body causing the block A to descend. ity of the descent can be regulated by the person using the escape or by any one on the ground by simply pulling upon thc rope at some point below the block A.

When the escape has been used and the block A is at the ground, the entire rope is drawn up and the end, which in the first in'- stance hung loosely,is secured to the building, and the escape is again ready for use.

By having the supporting-belt secured to the block at about the center thereof it is not necessary to change the position of said belt after the escape has once beenused; and, further, by having this belt passed through and over the stud upon which the rope is wound, all Adanger of the persons falling in case of the breakage ofthe' block is avoided, because of the fact that the belt will be caught by and supported on the rope itself.

I have found that by the construction of the block described, and by the arrangement and construction of the studs with which said block is provided, perfect friction is obtained, and all danger arising from a too rapid descent is avoided and a perfect escapeV obtained.

Having described my invention,what I claim as new therein, and that for which I desire to secure Letters Patent, is-

In a friction fire-escape, and in combination with the rope D, the block A, having grooved end eyes, and consisting of two IOO All

l In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED L.` CLARK.

Witnesses:

MONROE M. CADY, C. A. NoYns. i 

